Tape controlled apparatus



April 4, 1939. v M. T. GO'ETZ 2,152,641

TAPE CONTROLLED APPARATUS Fil ed Aug/9, 1937 ml Pt. I w aly -Q J 0 I5! INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

MAURUS T. GOETZ Patented Aprz 4, 1939 TAPE CONTROLLED APPARATUS Maurus T. Goetz, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Teietypcsetter Corporation, a

corporation of Delaware Application August 9, 1937, Serial No. 158,095

31 Claims.

This invention relates to linecasting and composing machins .and particularly to the operation of such machines by signal responsive apparatus.

An object of the invention is to modify the operation of the signal responsive control apparatus, upon a predetermination of the appearance of the signals in certain sequences, prior to the exercise of control by said signals.

Commercially available linecasting machines include mechanism for releasing matrices from the matrix storage magazines, and each matrix release mechanism requires a certain interval of time in which to effect the release of a matrix and return to normal position so as to be prepared for the next matrix release operation. The time required for the completion of a cycle of operation of the matrix release mechanism of various machines may vary and even in a single machine, certain of the matrix release mechanisms may operate more rapidly than others.

When the composition of lines involves no paired characters, the composing mechanism may be operated with such rapidity as to result in overlap in the operation of the several matrix release mechanisms. However, when a character is repeated one or more times during composition, there can be no overlap in the operation of the mechanism for releasing the matrix'of that character, as the releasing mechanism must return to normal condition before it can be operated again to efiect the release of the second of the matrices.

When supervision by automatic control apparatus is imposed upon linecasting and composing machines, the speed of composition is limited only by the capabilities of the linecasting and composing machine, as the control apparatus itself may be operated as rapidly as desired. Thus the automatic control apparatus may be operated at a speed to take full advantage of overlap in the operation of release mechanisms assigned to efiect the release of different matrices. Operation of the linecasting and composing machine at maximum efficiency is thus attained. The repeated release of matrices fromthe same matrix provided in an apparatus operable under the control of perforated tape for supervising the operation of a 'li'necasting and composing machine, an instmmentality for delaying the response of the perforated tape controlled mechanism to repeated matrix release control signals in the tape.- This is accomplished by providing in the record reader portion of the control mechanism, which includes a set of levers carrying sensing pins for sensing the perforations in the tape, a second set of Ieeler levers provided with sensing pins for effecting the pre-sensing of signal combinations prior to their presentation to the main sensing pins. Thus, when the principal and auxiliary sensing pins are simultaneously sensing identical signal 15 combinations, the two sets of feeler levers will be identically positioned. It'is this identity of positionment of the-two sets of feeler levers through; which a delay to insure the'proper release of repeated characters is accomplished; 20

In one embodiment ofthe invention, the simul-- taneous presentation of a pair of identical signals to the two sets of sensing pins resultsin a delay in the presentation of the second signal combination to the principal sensing pins during which 25 the release of the first of the two identical matrices may be effected and the matrix release mechanism restored to normal. g

i In another embodiment of the invention, the record reader mechanism operates in the samev 30 manner in response to not more than two successive identical signals as it does in response to two successive different signals to insert no delay before the release of the second matrix. However, if the next signal is identicalwith the 35 first two, it will not be permitted to become efiective immediately but its effectiveness will be delayed. v

In general, the invention'is'disclosed herein as applied to an automatic control apparatus for 40 linecasting and composing machines according to the disclosure of application Serial-No. 600,606,, 'filed March 23, 1932, by Howard"L; Krum 'et a1,

which matured into Patent 'No. 2,091,286 on August31, 1937. A delay mechanism, withwhich 45 the present invention has been coordinated and the fundamental elements of which are shown herein, is fully disclosed and described in' 'application Serial No. 704,467, filed December 29, 1933,- by L. M. Walden, which matured into Patent No. 2,090,654.0n August 24, 193"l.--;Reference is also made to Patent No. 2,104,030grantedJanuary 4, 1938, to the present applicant, which discloses a mechanism. for inserting delays upon the presentation of repeated character signals tothe record 55 reader of an automatic control unit for linecasting and composing machines.

For a full and complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction .with the accompanying drawing in which,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a record reader mechanism into which has been embodied the invention in one of its forms;

Fig. .2 is substantially an elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is substantially an 'elevational view in diagrammatic form showing a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, reference numeral indicates tape sensing levers rockably mounted upon common pivot rod l2. Levers II have oppositely extending arms I3 and I4, the former of which are provided at their outer ends with upstanding tape sensing pins l5. Tape sensing levers II are biased in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, by springs l1, which have been omitted from Fig. 1 for the sake of clarity, and are provided in the body portion thereof with circular apertures l8 through which extends a fixed rod |9'to limit the movement of levers Arms M of the tape sensing levers are presented in the operating path of bar 2| carried by bail 22 which is rockably mounted-upon pivot rod 23. Ball 22 is biased in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig.

2, by tension spring 24. Pivot rod 23 also supports ball 26 provided with arm 21, which carries at its free end roller which engages cam 29 carried by record reader shaft 3 I. A compression spring 32 held in position by screw 33 is disposed between bails 26 and 22 and serves as a yieldable interconnection through which motion is imparted from ball 26 to ball 22 which, through rod 2|, imparts clockwise rotation to tape sensing levers II, as viewed in Fig. 2, and effects with drawal of tape sensing pins l5 from a perforated signal storage controltape (not shown), as is fully set forth in any of the hereinbefore identifled applications.

Tape sensing levers U terminate at their lower ends in spaced prongs- 36. Below each of the tape sensing levers II, a T-shaped transfer lever 31 is rockably mounted upon a rod 38 carried by transfer ball 39. Bail 39 is rockably mounted uponpivot rod 4| and is provided with arm 46 which carries adjusting screw 43. A transfer bail operating lever 44 in the, form of a bell crank has arm 42 thereof presented against adjusting screw 43. Extending between arm 46 of bail 39 and lever 44 is a spring 45 which holds the two levers in the position shown and through which movement is effected. Transfer bail operating lever 44 has cam follower roller 41 presented in engagement with a transfer cam (not shown) carried by record reader shaft 3|, and is operable by its cam in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, to impart counterclockwise rotation to transfer ball 39 through spring 45 to lift T-shaped transfer levers 31 for cooperation with tape sensing levers II in a manner which will now be described.

The laterally extending portions of T-shaped transfer lever 31 have upstanding abutments 48 spaced apart a greater distance than the distance between the depending prongs 36 of tape sensing levers The spacing of abutments 48 of transfer levers 31 is such that when a tape sensing lever is-presented in its extreme clockwise position, which occurs when its tape sensing pin encounters an imperforate portion of the tape, the left-hand prong 36 of the tape sensing lever will be presented in alignment with and in the path of the left-hand abutment 48 of the associated transfer lever 31. Conversely, when a tape sensing lever H is presented in its extreme counterclockwise position, which condition exists when its tape sensing pin encounters and projects through a perforation in the tape, the right-hand prong 36 of the tape sensing lever is presented in alignment with and in the path of the righthand abutment 48 of the associated transfer lever 31. Rod 38 carried by transfer bail 39 lifts transfer levers 31, upon operation of transfer bail op erating lever 44, a distance in excess of that required to bring one of the abutments 48 of each of T-levers 31 into engagement with prongs 3-6 of those of the tape sensing levers II which have been set underthe control of a signal combination in the tape in positions different from those in which they were presented according to the preceding signal combination. Thus a T-lever, upon coming into engagement with 9. prong 36 of a tape sensing lever before the T-lever reaches its limit of travel, will be rocked clockwise or counterclockwise about rod 38, depending upon the position in which the tapev sensing lever is presented. It will be evident from this that when the tape sensing levers have been set in accordance with a signal combination in the, tape, ,and the transfer ball 39 has been actuated, the T- shaped transfer levers will be set'in extreme clockwise orcounterclockwise positions in accordance with the signal combination in the tape.

The intermediate or vertical portions of transfer levers 31 are formed at their lower extremities with disc-like portions 49. These disc-like portions are disposed in parallel sided notches 5| formed in the upper edges of link bars or extensions 52 of code bars 53. Thus, as each of the T-shaped transfer levers 31 is set in its extreme clockwise position under the control-of its associated tape sensing lever H, the code bar extension 52 and code bar 53 articulated to.it are set in extreme left-hand position. Converse1y,.each of the transfer levers 31 that is set in extreme counterclockwise position effects the presentation'of its associated code bar 53 and extension or link bar 52 in extreme right-hand position. The disc-like portions 49 of transfer levers 31 and the notches 5| of link bars 52 are so proportioned that the disc-like portions 49 are not lifted out of the notches 5| when the transfer levers 31 travel upwardly due to operation of the transfer ball 39.

Code bars 53 have their edges provided with notches and lugs in accordance with the code upon which the apparatus is to be operated, which may be a permutation code,so'that for each permutational setting of code bars 53 in accordance with a signal combination'interpreted by tape sensing levers one and only one alignment of notches transversely of the code bars 53 is established. Extending longitudinally of the code bars 53 and parallel thereto is a rod 54 (Fig. which carries a plurality of selectable bars 56'mounted thereon for rocking movement and when an alignment of notches is presented to one of the selectable bars 56, that bar enters the aligned notches under the influence of spring 51. Through the operation of selectable bars 56 after selection thereof, under the control of signals presented to the tape sensing mechanism, the composing and line conveying functions of the linecasting and composing machine are controlled. Reference may be had to the hereinbefore mentioned Krum. et al. patent for a complete understanding of the manner in which selectable bars 56 control the composing and line conveying mechanism.

Feeding of the tape to present the signal combinations successively to the tape sensing pins I5 is effected by a sprocket (not shown), carried by a shaft 58 (Fig. 2). Shaft 58 has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a ratchet 59 with which there cooperates a pawl 6i to effect feeding of the tape. Tape feed pawl 6| is carried by one-end of a lever 62 which is rockably mounted upon pivot rod 63 and is biased clockwise by tension spring 66 (not shown). At the end opposite to that upon which tape feed pawl 6| is carried, lever 62 is engaged by an adjustable screw 64 carried by a lever 65 also mounted on pivot rod 63. Lever carries a cam follower roller 61, which engages a cam .(not' shown) carried'by record reader shaft'3'l. It will be evident that as lever is rocked counterclockwise (Fig. 2) by its operating cam. on record reader shaft 3|, screw 64 engaging lever' 62 rocks thatlever-counterclockwise to lift "jpawl 6| so that it may engage an advance tooth of:r'a tchet.56preparatory to rotating the ratchet "counterclockwisefupon the return stroke of lever 62 to feed the perforated tape past sensing pins I5. The reason for providing levers 62 and 65 instead of a single lever is that under certain circumstances', whichflwill be described later, it is desirable to block lever 62 in'its extreme counterclockwise positionftoprevent feeding of the tape while permitting lever 65 to rock alternately counterclockwise and clockwise under the control of its operating cam carried by record reader shaft 3|, which is normally continuously rotatable. Such an arrangement also provides a convenient adjustment for the travel of the feed pawl 84'.

All of the mechanism heretofore described is fully disclosed and described in the hereinbefore identified Krum et a1. patent. The mechanism which is about to be described is not found in the Krum et al. patent but is disclosed and described in the above mentioned patent of L. M. Walden. The purpose of the mechanism is to interpose between the sensing of predetermined signal combinations and the selection of the selectable bar 56 responsive thereto a time delay interval which may be of I a duration represented by several cycles of operation of record reader shaft 3|.

It may be noteo by reference to Figs. 1 and 3, that six tape sensing'levers H with arms l3 and tape sensing pins l5 have been provided, and that between the third and fourth of the tape sensing levers H is a lever II also pivoted .on pivot pin l2 and similar in all respects to tape sensing levers ll except that it has no arm corresponding to arms l3 and no tape sensing pin. Centrally positioned lever H has depending prongs 12 similar to prongs 36 of tape sensing levers H and intended for cooperation with the central one of the T-shaped transfer levers 31. The center one of the transfer levers 31 is articulated to a link bar 13, which in turn is connected to a special bar 14 centered in the group of code bars 53. Bar 14 is provided with lugs which may be described later.

bars 56 to permit the selection thereof when bar 14 is presented in its other position. Blocking of any one of the selectable bars 56 withreference to either of the two'positions which bar 14 may occupy may be accomplished by providing lugs in predetermined positions. With this arrangement, an alignment of notches in bars 53 may be presented to one of the selectable bars 56 which may be unable to respond and enter thealignment of notches due to blocking by 9; lug on bar 14. Withdrawal of the blocking ing to permit the selectable bar 56 to enter the alignment of notches, may be accomplished by shifting bar 14, which is shiftable under the control of pivoted lever ll associated with the tape sensing levers II and through the operation of transfer bail 39, as will Those of bars 56 which are to be left free for selection irrespective of the position of bar 14, are presented across a portion-of the edge of bar 14 whichhas no blocking lug.

It will be observed that pivoted lever H is normally presented in its extreme counterclockwise position due to the biasing effect of spring l1, and that through cooperation of the central one of transfer levers 31 with lever, ll, link bar 13 and blocking bar 14 are normallypresented in extreme left-hand positions, as viewed in Figs.

1 and 2. V i v As shown in Fig. 2, link bars 52 may be provided with notches I6 andlink bar I3 may have a similar notch. A bail I'l pivoted at 18 extends across link bars 52 and 13 and is provided with a rod 19 extending across bars 52 and 13 directly above the position occupied by notch 16 of central link bar 13 when that bar is presented in its normal or extreme left-hand position. Notches 16 of link bars 52 are so positioned that for certain permutational settings of bars 52 and code bars 53, notches 16 will be presented in alignment below rod 19, whereupon bail 11 will be permitted to respond to the biasing effect of tension spring BI and will rock counterclockwise. Bail 11 is provided with arm 62 extending upwardly obliquely and terminating adjacent to and in alignment with a downwardly obliquely extending arm 83 carried by tape feed lever 62. The operation of tape feed lever 62 by its operating lever 65 under the control of the tape feed cam is such that lever 62 is normally held in extreme counterclockwise position, at the proper time is permitted by the cam to rock clockwise under the influence of spring 66 to effect feeding of the tape, and is immediately restored to extreme counterclockwise position. Arm 83 of tape feed lever 62 is thus normally presented in its uppermost position, and does not interfere with the presentation of arm 82 of ball 11 in blocking relation to arm 83. Arm 82 upon being rocked counterclockwise with bail I1 is-presented in blocking relation to arm 83, and the tape feed lever 62 is prevented from effecting feeding of the tape when tape feed cam rotates into position for permitting lever 62 to operate. Tape feed operating lever 65 may continue to operate under the control of its cam without interference by blocked lever 62, by merely lifting screw 64' out of engagement with tape feed lever 62.

At its extreme right-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 2, tape feed operating lever 65 carries detape sensing lever pivot rod l2.

the upper end of arm 82 of the ball 11 (Fig. 3). Upon the counterclockwise movement of bail 11 to bring its arm 82 into blocking position with reference to depending arm 83 of tape feed lever 62, pawl 84 becomes free to rock clockwise about. its pivotal mounting by a spring (not shown) individual thereto, and thus to come into engagement with ratchet 86. Stub shaft 81 also carries a ratchet 88 with which is aligned a holding pawl 89 pivoted-at9l to a fixed member. Pawl 89 is biased in clockwise direction by tension spring 99 and is provided near its lower end with a transversely extending arm 92 which is presented in engagement with pawl 84 on, the side opposite to that which engages ratchet 86. Pawl 89 thus fol-- lows the leftward and rightward movement of pawl 84, and when the latter is permitted, by obliquely extending arm 82, to move into engagement with ratchet 86, pawl 89 moves into engagement with ratchet 88 and becomes a holding pawl for ratchets 86 and 88 and thus for stub shaft 81. A torsion spring 93 arranged around stub shaft 81 and having one end secured to a stationary portion of the machine and the other end secured to ratchet 88 rotates ratchets 86 and 88 when they are free of pawls 84 and 89, respectively, into stop position which is settable and is determined by the angular position on shaft 81 of an adjustable stop arm 95 which cooperates with fixed stop I80. v i Y Stub shaft 86 has rockably mounted thereon a bail-shaped lever 94 which has arm 96 at one end thereof and arms 91 and 98 at the other end. Arm 91 of bail-shaped lever 94 extends into the path of a pin 99 carried by ratchet 86. Arm 98 cooperates with a mechanism to be described later. Arm 96 carries at its upper end an adjustable screw |8|, the end of the shank of which is presented in alignment with and substantially in engagement with pivoted lever 1| carried by Bail-shaped lever 94 is ckable counterclockwise by engagement of pin 99 with arm 91 when ratchet 86 is operated by pawl 84, and is effective through screw 8| to rock lever 1| to its extreme clockwise position.

The selection and operation of pivoted lever 1| and blocking bar 14 under the control of the ratchet feed mechanism will now be. described. Upon. the setting of link bars 52 and code bars 53 underthecont'rol of tape sensing levers into permutative position according to which blocking bar 14 is to be rendered effective, an alignment of notches 16 is presented to bar 19 carried by bail 11. The bail rotates counterclockwise to permit bar, 19 to enter notches 16. Tape feed lever 62 is held in its counterclockwise position by its operating lever 65, and depending blocking arm 83 is held out of the path of arm 82 of bail 11. Arm 82, under such conditions, moves to its blocking position. The counterclockwise rocking of arm 82 ofbail 11 simultaneously effects blocking of tape feed lever 62 through depending arm 83 and permits pawls 84 and 89 to come into engagement with their respective ratchets 86 and 88. Lever 65 continues to be rocked by its cam (not shown) as if effecting tape feeding, but instead it lifts and lowers pawl 84. This causes ratchet 86 to be rotated step by step, and upon each feeding operation, pawl 89 holds ratchet 88 and prevents the ratchets and shaft 81 from returning to normal position under the influence of spring 93. The feeding of ratchet 86 brings pin 99 into engagement with arm 91 of bailshaped lever 94 and continued ratchet feeding toratchet feed operating lever 65, both of these elements being operated by cams carried by continuously rotatable shaft 3|. Likewise, the tape sensing pin withdrawing bail 22 operates repeatedly. However, since the tape feed is disabled and the tape is held stationary, tape sensing levers repeatedly'sense the same signal combination and are set according to the same permutational distribution prior to operation of transfer ball 39 and presentation of transfer lever 31 into cooperation with tape sensing levers Thus the transfer levers 31 find the same signal combination that they previously found, hence no movement is imparted to link 'bars 52 and code bars 53. The next operation of transfer bail 39, after bail-shaped lever 94 has rocked pivoted lever 1| to its extreme clockwise position, results in shifting of link bar 13 and blocking bar 14, due to the fact that the center one of transfer levers 31 finds lever 1|, with which it cooperates, shifted to a different position than that which it had previously occupied, whereupon the transfer lever rocks counterclockwise and shifts link bar 13 and blocking bar 14 rightwardly, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2.

The shifting of bar 13 rightwardly causes its notch 16 to be moved rightwardly also, which cams rod 8| to its unselected position, thus caus ing bail 11 to be rocked clockwise. Obliquely extending arm 82 is thus moved out of blocking relation with depending arm 83 of tape feed lever 62, whereby tape feeding operation is resumed.

obliquely extending lever 82, in moving to its Y unselected or extreme clockwise position, withdraws pawl 84 from engagement with ratchet 86, and pawl 84, through arm 92, withdraws pawl 89 from engagement with ratchet 88. The ratchets, thus being freed, respond to torsion spring 93 and rotate in clockwise direction to their stop or normal position. The release of ratchets 86 and 88 permits bail-shaped lever 94 to return to its normal position and centrally located pivoted lever 1| responds to the urge of its spring l1 and returns to its extreme counterclockwise position. Thereafter, upon the next operation of transfer bail 39,'the center one of transfer levers 31 finds lever 1| in its counterclockwise position and restores centrally located link bar 13 and blocking bar 14 to normal or left-hand position.

Apparatus, the operation of which has just been described, which includes blocking bar 14 and the mechanism for controlling it, is fully disclosed and described in the hereinbefore mentioned patent to L. M. Walden, to which reference may be had for more detailed description.' The mechanism now ing levers I93. The auxiliary tape sensing levers centers of the two sets of pins coincide'with thecenters of the perforations of two adjacent code combinations in the control tape, so that two signal combinations may be sensed simultaneously by the two sets of pins. Arms I04 of auxiliary tape sensing levers I03 correspond to arms I4 of principal tape sensing-levers II and are engaged by a rod I08 extending beneath arms I04 transversely thereof, said rod being carried by a bail I09 pivotally mounted upon pivot pin III. Bail I09 is provided with a pm I I2 which is disposed in an elongated slot I I3 in a link I I4, which is articulated to lever arm 21 which actuates the principal sensing pin withdrawing bail 22; At its free end which is the right-hand end as viewed in Fig. 2, link II4 carries spring post II1 which is engaged by one end of a tension spring I I6, the other end of which engages pin II2. Pin II2, slot H3, and spring II 6 establish a yieldable connection between link II4 and bail I09, so that when lever 21 is operated by itscam 29 to effect clockwise r'otation of the principal tape sensing levers II through bail 22, bail I09 is rocked counterclockwise about pivot rod I I I by link I I4, and auxiliary tape sensing levers I03 are rocked counterclockwise through bail rod I08 to effect withdrawal of auxiliary sensing pins I01 from the tape simultaneously with the withdrawal of principal sensing pins I to permit advancement of the tape. Tension springs II8 bias auxiliary tape sensing levers I03 in clockwise direction, thus tending to present pins I01 in tape sensing position. Stop rods H9 and I2I extending across the depending arms of levers I03 limit rocking movement thereof.

Each of the link bars 52 is provided at its extreme right-hand end, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, with a cut away portion, the walls of which are conformed to an incomplete cylinder. The discshaped end I22 of a testing bar I23 is disposed in -the recess afforded by the cutting away of the partially cylindrical portion in each link bar 52. Near its extreme right-hand end, each testing bar I 23 is provided with a pair of upstanding abutments I24. The lower end of the depending arm of each of the auxiliary tape sensing levers I03 is presented in alignment with the two upstanding abutments I24 of the corresponding testing bar I23, and the spacing between the two abutments I24 of a bar I23 is such that when an auxiliary tape sensing lever is in extreme counterclockwise position and the corresponding link bar 52 and testing bar I 23 are in their extreme left-hand positions, the right-hand abutment I24 is presented directly below the end of the tape sensing lever, but if the testing bar is in itsextreme right-. hand position, neither of its abutments I24 is in alignment with the lower end of auxiliary tape sensing lever. Conversely, if an auxiliary tape sensing lever I03 is presented in its extreme clockwise posititon, and a corresponding bar 52 and testing bar I23 are in there extreme right-hand positions, the left-hand abutment I24 of the testing bar will be presented directly beneath the depending arm of the auxiliary sensing lever I03, but if the testing bar is presented in its extreme left-hand position, neither of its abutments will be aligned with the end of the depending arm of the auxiliary tape sensing lever.

Testing bars I23 rest on a rod I26 carried by a bail I21 pivotally mounted as-at I28. An arm I29 of bail I21 is connected by link I3I to an arm I32 of a bell crank lever I33 pivoted at M. Spring I 34, connected to bail arm I29, applies counterclockwise biasing to bail I21. Arm I36 of bell crank lever I33 carries at its outer end cam follower roller I31 which engages cam I38 carried by continuously rotatable shaft 3I. It will be observed that cam I38 has a recess in the periphery thereof, which at the proper time in thee'cycle of operation of shaft 3|, releases bell crank lever I33 for counterclockwise rocking movement by power supplied by spring I34 through link I3I.

When bell crank lever I33 rocks counterclockwise, it reciprocates link -I3I rightwardly, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, which in turn imparts counterclockwise movement to lever arm I29 and bail I21 to lift the outer or right-hand end of testing bars I23, pivoting their disc-shaped portions I22 within the recesses in link bars 52, these movements being conditioned upon a presentation of all of the auxiliary sensing levers I 03 out of blocking alignment with all of the upstanding abutments I24 of testing bars I23. The circumstances under which testing bars I23 may or may not be blocked by auxiliary tape sensing levers I03 and the operation of the apparatus in consequence of such conditions will be described later.

A bell crank lever I4I pivotally supported coaxially with the pivotal support of testing bar lifting bail I21 has an upwardly and obliquely extending arm I42 in the operative path of which, as it rocks counterclockwise, is a laterally extending portion I43 of arm 98 of bail-shaped lever 94. Arm I42 has a dependingfinger I44 which rests on one of the arms of bail I21 and the upper end of arm I42 is presentable in the path of an arm I45 depending from tape feed lever 62. Another arm I46 of bell crank lever I4I terminates adjacent to a blocking arm I41 of bail-shaped lever I 48, which is pivoted at I49 and is biased in counterclockwise direction by tension spring I5I. By the engagement of finger I44 with the arm of bail I 21, counterclockwise rocking movement is imparted to hell crank lever I4I when testing bars I23 and tape sensing levers I03 permit bail I 21 to undergo a full stroke of rocking movement under the control of cam I38. Arm I42 of lever I 4| blocks arm I45 of tape feed lever 62 and imparts counterclockwise rocking movement to bail-shaped lever 94 through engagement with laterally extending portion I43 to eifect shifting of centrally located pivoted lever H to its extreme clockwise position to the same extent and in the same manner as if bailshaped lever 94 had been actuated by pin 99 carriedby ratchet 86. As bell crank lever I4I rocks counterclockwise to effect rocking of pivoted lever H, the free end of its arm 46 clears the upper end of arm I41 of bail-shaped lever I48 which responds to the biasing effect of tension spring I5I and rocks counterclockwise to pre-.

sent the upper end of arm I41 in blocking relation to arm I46 of bell crank lever I 4|. Plvoted lever II is thus held in its extreme clockwise position-for an interval to permit transfer ball 39 to lift T-shaped transfer lever 31 and to set blocking bar 14 and link bar 13 in accordance with the new setting of pivoted lever 1|.

Centrally located link bar 13 has at its, extreme right-hand end an aperture similar to those in link bars .52 into. which is fitted the discshapedportion of a slide bar I52, the free end of which rests upon rod I26 of testing bar operating bail I21, and which has intermediate its end, a depending arm I53. Bail-shaped blocking lever I48 has an upstanding arm I54, which is presented in alignment and immediately to the right (as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2) of arm I53 of slide bar I52 when the latter is in its extreme left-hand position, which is the condition when pivoted lever1l occupies its normal or extreme counterclockwise position. When blocking bar 14 and link bar 13 are moved tothe right by movement of the centrallyilocated one of -.T-'

shaped transfer levers I31 into engagement with the shifted pivoted lever 1i, dependingarm I53 of slide bar I52 is shifted rightwardly and bail shaped lever I48 is rocked in clockwise direction against the tension of spring I5I to effect withdrawal of arm I41 of lever I48 from blocking engagement with arm- I46 of bell crank I4]. Bell crank lever I H is thus released and is permitted to return to its normal" position, it beingunderstood-that bail I21, being operated in accordance with the contour of cam I30, had returned to its extreme clockwise position after the latching of bellcrank lever l4l in its extreme counter:

clockwise position. Bail .I21 therefore does not block arm.I44 oflever I41 nor otherwise prevent the return of hell crank lever I H to its normal position. Bail-shaped lever 04 likewise returns to its normal position and permits 'centrallylocated pivoted lever 1I to return to its counterclockwise or normal position. I v The restoration of bell crank lever I to its normal position effects. unblockiiig of depending arm I carried by tape feedratchet operating lever 62. 7 Normal tape feeding operation isfre iliary tape sensing levers I03. This condition exists when principal tape sensing levers II and,

auxiliary tape sensing levers I02 are sensing identical signal combinations simultaneously.

By way of' illustration of the foregping'statement, let it be assumed that identical signal combinations are presented to the two sets of sensing. levers and.,that these signal combinations comprise a perforationpresented to the foremostv (asviewed in Figs. 1'and2') sensing-pin in. each set and imperforate portions of the tape presented to the remaining five' pins in each set. Upon the release of the tape sensing 'levers'by,

their respective bailsto permit them to sensev the signal cor'nbinations; tlie foremost one of the principal tape sensing'levers II will rock into its. counterclockwise position as its tape sensing pin I5 enters the perforationfandthe remaining tape sensing levers in the set will bepresented in their extreme clockwise positions, whereas--the foremost of the auxiliary tape sensing levers I03 will move into its extreme clockwise position and the others will bepresented in extreme'counterclockwise position. Upon operation of transfer bail 39, the foremost of link'bars '52 and code,

bars 53 will be shifted to their extreme left-hand positions and the remaining link bars and code bars will be presented in extre mef right-hand positions; Testing bars I23 will be correspond; ingly positioned. As previously'stated,-.an auxik iary tape sensing lever I03 presented in counterclockwise position blocks a testing bar I23 presented in extreme left-hand position and-a,

sensing lever I03 presented in clockwise position blocks a testing bar I23 presented in extreme right-hand position. With all but the foremost of sensing levers I03 presented in counterclocke wise position and all but the corresponding-one of the slide bars I23 presented in extreme "right- As previhand position, none of the tape sensing levers I03 blocks a testing bar I23, and upon presentation of 'recess inv cam I38 to cam follower I31,

bail I21 can operate through its full cycle to rock bell crank lever I-4I counterclockwise, which interrupts, the tapefeeding mechanism, rocks pivoted lever 1I to'its extreme clockwise position, and'becomes latched in its operated position.

'If the signal combination presented to auxiliary.tape sensing levels, I03 should differ from that presented to principal tape sensing levers I I, one or more of auxiliary tape sensing levers II, would be presented in a position different from that set forth in the above described hypothetical and illustrative signal sensing condition. The auxiliary sensing lever or levers would be presentedin position to oppose and. block the lifting of the corresponding testing bar or bars I23 by 1 bail I21 so that bell crank'lever. "I. would not be rocked and normal tape-feeding would not be interrupted;

upon the presentation of any two identical signal Thus it will be observed that,

combinations to the two setsof tape sensing pins simultaneously, the-second of the two signal 'com-..

bin'ation's is not advanced to the principal sensa ing pins in the normal manner, but the advance-- ment of the tape is delayed for the interval ..re- 'quired' to set pivoted lever H by operation of bail. I21and totransfer this setting to link bar 13, which interval, is represented by substantially one cycle of operation'of shaft 3|.

.The timing ofthe-several operations is controlled ,by record reader shaft 3|. since all of the operating cams are carried by that shaft. Timing canbest be understood by reference to the following description of the several operations arranged in chronological order. Assuming that leverjarrn 21 has been rocked counterclockwise by its cam 23 to-withdraw the tape sensing pins I5Iand I01 from the-tape, and that tape feed lever has operated to advance the tape to present the first of two identical'si'gnal combinationsto tape sensing pins I5 andthe .second to pinsI01, cam 23 permits lever 21 to return to its extreme clockwise position whereby tape'sensing pins-,ii'and I01 are presented tothetwo signal combinations and the tape sensinglevers II and I03 arepositioned permutativelyin accordance with the signals. erated by its car to effect positionment of link bars 52 and codebars 53. During theftransfer' operation, selectable bars 56 are held outof en- Transfer ball 33 is then opv gagement with code bars 53 by a spreader cam which'is-operated under the control of shaft 3| andwhich'is not shown herein but is fully disclosed in the Krum et al. patent he'reinbeforeiden Immediately after the setting of code bars 53 is completed, selectable bars 55 are permitted to come into engagement with code bars 53 and that selectable bar which finds an alignment of ing bars I23 that they affectno blocking thereof and bail I21, is able' to operate through a full cycle; whereby tape feeding is blocked, pivoted lever H is moved to its extreme clockwise position, and lever MI is latched in operated posi- 1 tion to maintain these conditions. Full use has thus been made of the settings, of both sets of tape sensing levers and they may now be withdrawn from tape sensing position by operation of lever arm 21, thus completing onecycle of operation of 'shaft 3I.

Following withdrawal of the tape sensing pins from the tape, tape feed operating lever 65 is actuated by its cam but the actuation is idle since tape feed lever 62 is blocked and cannot operate bar 13 to its extreme right-hand positioneffects sensing pins I5 and the next signal combinationunlatching of lever III, as previously described,

and the shifting of blocking bar 14 establishes an important condition; namely, the presentation of its blocking lugs in opposition to all of the selectable bars 56 that control operations 'in the repetition of which a delay is required. This blocking is important because immediately following the operation of the transfer bail, selectable bars 56 are permitted to seek selection and that bar which had been previously selected and to which an alignment of notches in code bars 53 is'still presented would be selected and operated a second time for a single signal combination presented to tape sensing pins I5.

The unlatching of lever I4I due to rightward shifting of link bar 13 permits the return of pivoted lever 1| to its extreme counterclockwise position and permits tape feed lever 62, which was of necessity blocked in its extremecounterclockwise position, to return to its clockwise position under the-influence of spring 66 upon withdrawal of tape sensing pins I5 and I01 at the beginning of the third cycle of operation of shaft 3I. The tape is thus fed to present the second of the two identical signal combinations to tape to pins I0]. Following the feeding of the'tape and the sensing of the signal combinations in the third cycle, transfer bail 39 operates and since tape sensing levers II are arranged as in the preceding cycle and code bars 53 are correspondingly-produced, link bar 13 and blocking bar 14 only are to be moved in view of the restoration of pivoted lever. TI to its normal position. transfer accomplishes the .restoration of link bar '13 and blocking bar 14 to their normal positions.

That selectable bar 56 to whichan alignment of notches is presented is now free to be selected. Immediately after the transfer operation, cam I38 releases bail I21 for operation and it will or will not be fully operated depending upon the positionment of auxiliary tape sensing levers I03. The response of bail I21 will determine whether another delay is to be efiected or whether normal operation of the record reader mechanism is to be resumed,

Under certain circumstances, it may be found undesirable to interrupt the normal passage of successive identical signals through the record reader. through and ejected from the perforating mechanism of the apparatus for preparing the tape for control of a linecasting and composing machine by simultaneously depression of the tape The For example, tape is sometimes passed key and a repeat key. Take thus'produced' carries only the perforations intended for cooperation with the feed sprocket and from the stand-.- point of a permutation code, represents repeated all blank signal combinations. custom to obliterate signal combinations of groups of signal combinations for the purpose of effect-' ing corrections by converting them to the v rubout combination, which has a perforation in all possible code positions. Tape" and ruboutf signal combinations exercise no controlling effect Also, it is the over a linecasting and composing machine. There is, therefore, no reason for delaying the presen-- tation of successive ones of such signals and it is in fact desirable that a series of them shall be passed through the record readerlmechanism' as rapidly as possible, for the reason'ithat the linecasting machine is standing idle while such sig-' nal combinations are being sensed.

Accordingly, it is proposed to disable the repeat scribed with-reference to certain signal combinations of which tape and rubout are outstanding examples. BailIGI' (Figs. 1 and 2) may be employed for disabling the repeat character delay mechanism. This ball is pivoted at I62 and has rod I63 spanning link bars 52 and 13 similar to bar 19 of-bail11. Bail I6I is "provided with upstanding arm I64 which terminates just below an arm I66 carried by testing bar lift- 2o 7 character delay mechanism hereinbefore "deing bail b'ell crank I33. In the normal position of bail I6I, its arm I64 just clears the free end of arm I66 of bell crank I33. It is proposed to provide notches in link bars-52 similar to notches '16 heretofore described, and so positioned with reference to rod I63 ofbail I6I that when link bars 52 have been set in accordance with a signal combination withlreferen'ce to which the repeat character delay mechanism :is to be disabled, an [alignment .of notches will'be presented to rod I63 whereby bail I6 I will be enabledto rock clockwise under the influenceof spring I65to present the'free end of its arm 164 in'blocking relation. 1

to arm I66 of bell crank I33.., Thereafter, upon the presentation of the recessin'cam I383 to cam follower I31, 'bell crank lever I33 will bepreventedlfror'n rocking andbail I21 will re'inain 'un'lifte'd even though testing bars I23 are; not

blocked byauxiliary tape sensing levers I03.

After a series of repeatedsignals by which bail- I6I was selected have'passed thro h ecord reader mechanism and a different signalrc'onli-i .bination has been presented to the;principal tape"- sensingpins- I5, rod I63 of bail I6I is liftedup wardly'by camming. action due to .the shiftingXOf.

one or moreofthe link bars 52, and arm-J66 is but must afford clearance for rod I63 to permit withdrawn fromblocking engagement with arm. .166 of hell crank I33. Since link bar 13 plays no part in the selectionor unselection of bail I6I I it to enter-an alignment of notches in the other;

link bars, bar v13 may have ,anelongated; notch which will not bar selection nor effect unselection of bail I6I due to presentation oflink'bar 13 in either of its possiblepositions or movement from one to another of those positions.

A modified embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4. This embodiment is intended for use in control units for linecastlng machines which attain asatisfactory response from the linecasting machines to release two identicalcharacter matrices successively without the interposition of a delay between the first and second release control operations, but which may fail to respond to three or more like control operalevers I1 I.

tions presented at the normal operating speed of the control mechanism. In apparatus in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, two identical signal combinations are permitted to be presented to the principal sensing pins in order, but if the third signal is like the first two, the presentation of the third to the principal sensing pins is delayed.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be observed that principal and auxiliary tape sensing levers HI and .I 12 respectively are substantially identical with tape sensing levers II and I03 respectively, that tape sensing pins I13 and I14 are substantially identical with sensing. pins I and I01, that sensing pin withdrawing bail rods I16 and I11 are identical in construction and operation with rods 2I and I08 of the previously described figures, that sensing lever stops I18, I19, and I8I are identical with stops I9, H9, and I2I, respectively, and that transfer bail I82 and T- shaped transfer levers I03 are substantially identical with those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and labeled 39 and 31, respectively. Tape sensing levers HI and I12 are pivoted at I84 and I86 respectively. T-shaped transfer levers 7 I83 are articulated by their disc-like portions I81 to notched link bars I88 which arecdnnected to code bars (not shown) similar to e de bars 53 shown in Fig. 1. Tape feeding mech nism iden tical with that shown in Fig. 2 is provided for feeding the perforated tape to present signal combinations successively to the sets of tape sensing pins I 13 and I14. Each of the link bars I88 has articulated to it at the extreme right-hand end thereof a testing bar I89 provided with testing abutments I9I, the arrangement being the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Testing bars I89 are supported intermediate their ends by rod I92 extending transversely thereof and carried by bail I93 which is generally similar to bail I21 previously described and which may be permitted to rock periodically under the control of a cam (not shown) carried by continuously rotatable shaft I94 and operating through a bell crank and link (also not shown), these elements having been omitted from Fig. 4 in order to show more clearly other elements that are directly-concerned with the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 and that do not appear in the disclosures of Figs. 1 and 2. I

Bail I 93 is provided with a projection I98 against which rests a lever I91 whichis pivoted coaxially with the pivotal mounting of bail I93.

Lever I91 is urged into engagement with projection I96 by tension spring I98 and is provided with an arm I99presented in alignment with and for operation of a non-tape sensing pivoted lever 20I, which corresponds to pivoted lever 1| of Figs. 1 and 2 an d is mounted on pivot rod I84 which pivotally supports principal tape sensing Lever I 91 is arranged to receive moe tion in counterclockwise direction from bail I93 through its projecting portion I96 when bail I93 is rocked counterclockwise and through arm I99 to shift pivoted lever 20I from its extreme counterclockwise to its extreme clockwise position. Lever I91, in moving to its extreme counterclockwise position, is presented in blocking relation to an arm 202 depending from tape feeding lever (not shown) so that the feeding of the perforated tape is interrupted upon the presentation of pivoted lever 20I in its extreme clockwise posi tion.

A latch lever 203 for latching bail operated lever I91 in extreme counterclockwise position is operated.-

pivoted at 204 and is biased in counterclockwise direction by tension spring 205. Lever 203 is provided with three arms, one of which 206 is provided with shoulder 201, another of which 208, extends upwardly and is arranged to be engaged by a latch lever 209, and the last of which 2I I, supports a rod 2I2 which spans link bars I88. Latch lever 209 is pivoted at 2I3, is urged in clockwise direction by tension spring 2I4, and is provided with shoulder 2I6 for holding shoulder 201 of arm 206 of lever 203 out of blocking relation to lever I91. Latch lever 209 also carries cam follower roller 2| 1 which engages cam 2I8 carried by continuously rotatable shaft I94. Cam 2I8r periodically rocks latch lever 209 counterclockwise, whereby lever 203 is permitted to escape from shoulder 2I6 and to rotate counterclockwise under the influence of spring 206, so that lever 203 may become effective to latch lever I91 when that lever is actuated by bail I93.

Each of link bars I88 is provided with a cam projection which is movable from one side to the other of rod 2I2 carried by arm 2| I of lever 203 as the link bars are moved back and forth from one position to another in the setting of code bars responsive to the sensing of signal combinations by the principal tape sensing levers. When one of the cam projections 2 I9 passes under spanning rod 2I2, it cams the rod upwardly and thus rocks three-armed lever 203 a sumcient distance in clockwise direction to cause its arm 208 to be engaged by shoulder 2I6 of latch lever 209.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4, cam 2I8 is so arranged on shaft I94 that it rocks lever 209 to unlatch lever 203 previous to the operation of transfer bail I82. If, upon operation of the transfer bail, a different signal combination is presented to the principal tape sensing pins I13 than that previously sensed, one or more of link bars I88 will be shifted and will, through their cam projections 2I9 cooperating with rod 2I2, reengage arm 208 of lever 203 with latching shoulder2l6 before testing bar operating bail I 93 is released by its cam for operation. If, on the contrary, the operation of transfer bail I82 effects no change in the setting of link bars I88, three-armed lever 203 will not be restored to disabled or latched condition, but will remain in position to latch lever I91 when that lever is Let it be assumed that the last of a series of signal combinations of which no two are alike has been advanced to the principal sensing pins and is about to be sensed, and that the first of two successive identical signals is in position to,

besensed by auxiliary tape sensing pins I14.

' Upon each release of lever 203 from shoulder 2I6 in the cycles of operation which have attended the sensing of the various different signals, lever 203 has been restored to latched condition due to the shifting of one or more of link bars I88 upon operation of transfer bail I82. Lever 203 will likewise be relatched for the cycle at present under consideration and bail I93 will be prevented from operating through its full stroke due to the fact that one or more of auxiliary tape sensing levers I12 will block one or more of the testing bars I89.

After the link bars I88 have been set in accordance with the signal combination presented to sensing pins I 13, the perforated tape is advanced one step so that now two identical signal,

combinations are presented to the two sets sensing pins I13 and I14. After these signal combinations have been sensed and after the release of three-armed lever 203 by lever 209, the permubinations are nowvbeing sensed by the two sets of tape sensing'pins, none of the auxiliary tape sensing levers I12 blocks the testing bars I89, and

those bars are free to rock and permit bail I93 to rock lever I91 counterclockwise to effect shifting of lever 20I to its extreme clockwise position. Since lever 203 is held in its extreme clockwise positionby shoulder 2I8 of lever 209, lever I91 does not become latched in operated position but returns to normalor idle position as bail I93 returns to normal position, and pivoted lever 20I is restored by its spring to extreme counterclockwise position. Depending arm 202 of the tape feeding lever is therefore notblocked, and upon the next operation of the tape feeding mechanism, the second of the two identical signal combinations will be advanced to be sensed by the principal tape sensing pins .113 in the normal manner, thus bringing the-"next signal combina-- tion into position for sensing by the auxiliary tape sensing pins .1 14, which combination has been assumed to be different from the two identical signal combinations. The last of the two identical signal combinations is sensed by pins I13, and prior to the operation of transfer bail I82, cam 2I8 disengages shoulder 2I6 from arm 208 of three-armed lever 203 and permits that lever to rock into its extreme counterclockwise position. Upon the operation of transfer bail I82, no change occurs in the setting of link bars I88, and lever 203 remains in position in which it is capable of latching lever I91.

Lever I91 cannot be operated, however, for the reason that one or more of auxiliary tape sensing levers I12 are presented in blockmg relation to one or more of testing bars I89. It will thus be observed that a pair of identical signal combinations have passed through the record reader mechanism without introducing any delay in the operation thereof.

It will now be assumed that three or more identical signal combinations appear in the tape for presentation to sensing pins I13 and I' I4. The first and second of these signal combinat ons will be presented to the principal tape sensmg pins I13 and will be sensed in order without the introduction of a delay as in the previously described example. In the cycle'of operation following presentation to the principal sensing pins I13 of the second of the three identical signals,

three-armed lever 203 will be unlatched byoperation of cam 2I8 and will remain in position to latch lever I91 because of the fact that as the transfer is effected, no change occurs in the setting of link bars I88. The signal combination presented to auxiliary tape sensing pins I14 is now identical with that presented to pins I13 and auxiliary sensing levers I12 will be so disposed with respect to testing bars I89 that those bars will not be blocked andbail I93 will be enabled to rock lever I91 counterclockwise to effect the shifting of pivoted lever 20I and will be latched in that position by shoulder 201 of lever 203 so as to remain operated while bail I93 is restored to its unoperated position. The tape feeding lever will thus be blocked and in the next attempted feeding ofthe tape, no advancement thereof will result. In the operation of transfer bail I82 in the cycle attended by blocking of the tape feed, the centrally located one of the link bars, which is the one controlled by pivoted lever 20I, will be shifted and the blocking bar which it controls will be presented inblocking relation to the selectable bars which control operations incapable of f performance inrapid repetition.

Thus, during the cycle in which the feeding of the tape is prevented, a signal combination is sensed a second time, but the'blocking bar prevents the selectable bar from entering the alignment of notches corresponding to the, signal.

The. shifting of the centrally located link bar causes its cam projection to lift rod 2I2to efiect clockwise rocking of three-armedlever 203, which will release lever l91 for restoration to its normal 7 position by a spring I98Yand which will become latched on shoulder 2I6. Blocking of thetape feed lever is thereby discontinued and in the next cycle the tape is permitted. to advance. This brings the third of the identical signals into position for sensingby the principal sensing pins I13, and the next'signal combination into alignment with the auxiliary sensing pins I14. Both sets of perforations are sensed, latch 209 is operated by cam 2I8 to unlatch lever 203, andthe transfer v bail I82 operates' Due' to release of tape feed blocking lever I 91 'by the shifting of the centrally located link bar in the preceding cycle, its arm I99 has permitted pivoted lever I to returnvto counterclockwise position,'and the transfer effects restoration of the blocking bar and its link bar to normal position. Access of a selectable bar to its alignment of notches is now afforded, and the operation which the signal ,is intended to control will be performed.

Therestoration of the link bar to, normal posi-f 4 tion causes through its cam projection, relatching of three-armed lever 203, so that ball operated lever I91 cannot be latched in operated position. Thus a delay following the sensing and transfer of the third of the identical signal combinations cannot be introduced whether the next combination, which is being sensed by the auxile iary sensing pins is like the three signals, andpermits bail I93 to operate lever I91, or whether it is different so that one or more of auxiliary sensing levers I12 block bail I93 through testing levers I12. Tape feeding will not be prevented,

and at the beginning ofvthe next cycle upon withdrawal of the sensing pins, the third of the three identical signals will be shifted out of alignment with the principal sensing pins, and the next signal will be presented to those pins.

Let it be assumed that this signal is like the three that have preceded it. The cycle of operation will be like that attending the sensing 'of the secondof the identical signals. 'As the transfer bail operates following unlatching of lever 203, no movement of any of the link bars I88 occurs so that lever 203 remains'in position to latch' lever I91. Bail I93 will operate through a full stroke if the signal sensed by the auxiliary sensing pinsis like that sensed by the principal sensing pins, and will thus cause lever I91 to become latched in extreme counterclockwise position. This, as previously described, results in blocking the tape feed and in shifting the blocking bar in the next cycle of shaft I94. However, if any of levers I12 block testing bars I89, no delay will be introduced. Thus it will be observed that the mechanism of Fig. 4 introduces a delayin the presentation of the'third of three or niore identical signals, and in the presentation of the fifth of five or more identical signals to the principal sensing pins, and blocks the response of the selectable bars to the second sensing of the secare found in many words of thgEnglish language,

may be composed without the interposition of a delay interval. The appearance of a letter three times in successidon in a word is extremely rare if not actually unknown. Accordingly, thecomposition of words can proceedwithout any delay interval due to repeated characters. This -is not possible in the embodiment shown in Figs, 1 and 2 because a delay is interposedbetween any two successive identical j characters irrespective of whether there are two or several such characters.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4 contemplates that it may be undesirable to have the delay mechanism selected for operation upon the presentation of certain signals in series, such as the tape" and "rubout signals. The -blocking out of the delay mechanism may be accomplished in the same manner as that disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2; namely, by providing a bail like bail IBI having a rod spanning the link bars adapted to enter alignments of notches in the link bars, and having an arm presentable in position to block the cam controlled bell crank which supervises the testing for repeated signals.

It will be understood that the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 may be incorporated in an automatic control unit having a ratchet feed operateddelay mechanism for predetermined operating conditions by arranging lever I91 so as I to be operable upon the lever which is controlled by the ratchet, as in Figs. 1 and 2, rather than for direct operation of pivoted lever 20!. Likewise, for those installations of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which the ratchet feed operated delay mechanism is not desired, lever Ill may be arranged to operate directly upon pivoted lever H in accordance with the disclosureof Fig. 4 instead of through bailshaped' lever 94.. 1 I

In the foregoing description of operation and timing of the mechanisms contemplated by the invention, the feeding of the tape has been referred to as occurring at the beginning of acycle and the other operations have been identified in the order in which they occur. The tape feeding operation is a logical point of reference from which to outline a description of operation, since the first step leading to the performance of an operation by the linecasting and composing machine is the presentation of a signal combination which will eflect selection of the operation.

Tape movement may not be the first operation performed by the automatic control unit in a cycle ofthe cam shaft, starting from its stop or rest position and stopping at the same point. For example, it maybe found that better operating margins are obtained by effecting tape feed just before the cam shaft reaches its rest position, which would place tape feed at the end of an established cycle of the cam shaft, and all of the operations described hereinbefore as follow-v ing tape feeding would occur in the next cycle in advanced angular phase with reference thereto. continuously, there is no decided break between cycles of operation, and therefore, in a theoretical analysis, any point may be chosen as the beginning of a cycle. The feeding of the tape is a convenient point of beginning, and the description has been predicated on this choice.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention is not to be interpreted as being limited to such embodiments but is capable of modification and rearrangement both as to component parts and modes of operation within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a strip controlled apparatus, means for sensing a signal combination, means for effecting a control condition corresponding thereto, means for simultaneously sensing the next signal combination, means for comparing said Since the cam shaft is intended to rotate signal combinations, and means for varying the and operable to test the setting of said auxiliary strip sensing levers, and means controlled by said testing bars for varying the operation of said apparatus.

4. In a strip controlled apparatus, a set of principal strip sensing levers, a set of auxiliary .strip sensing levers, strip sensing members car ried by said levers, means for advancing a strip to said members, a set of selector elements variably positionable in accordance with the setting of the principal strip sensing levers, a set of testing bars articulated to said selector elements and operable to test the setting of said auxiliary strip sensing levers, and means controlled by said testing bars for blocking said strip advancing means.

5. In a strip controlled apparatus, a' set of principal strip sensing levers, a set of auxiliary strip sensing levers, a set of selector elements variably positionable in accordance with the setting of said principal strip sensing levers, a plurality of function bars individually responsive to said selector elements, a set of testing bars articulated to said selector elements and operable to test the setting of said auxiliary'strip sensing r levers, and means controlled by said testing bars for blocking said function bars.

6. In a strip controlled apparatus, a set. of principal strip sensing levers, a set of auxiliary strip sensing levers, a strip feeding mechanism, a set of selector elements variably positionable in accordance with thesetting of said principal strip sensing levers, a plurality of function bars individually responsive to said selector elements. a set of testing bars articulated to said selector elements and operable to test the setting of said auxiliary strip sensing levers, means operable under control of said testing bars for blocking said strip feeding mechanism, means also operable under control of said testing bars for blocking saidfunction bars, and means associated with the last mentioned means for disabling said strip feed blocking means.

'7. In a tape controlled apparatus, a signal storage tape advancing mechanism, a set of sensing levers to be variously positioned in accordance with a signal combination in the tape, a second set of sensing levers to be variously positioned simultaneously with the first set in accordance with the next signal combination in the tape, a set of selector elements, means for transferring the setting of the first mentioned set of sensing levers to said selector bars, a set of testing bars associated with said selector elements, means for actuating said testing bars, means controlled by said testing bars for blocking said tape advancing mechanism, means for latching said blocking means, and means subsequently operable under the control of said testing bars for disabling said latching means.

8. In a tape controlled-apparatus, a plurality of sets of simultaneously operable tape sensing levers, selector means controlled by one of said sets of levers, testing means associated with the selector means for testing the setting ofanother of said sets of levers, cam controlled means for operating said testing means, and means controlled by said testing means for altering the eifectiveness of said selector means.

9. In a tape controlled apparatus, tape feeding 10. In a. tape controlled apparatus, a set of principal tape sensing levers, a set of auxiliary tape sensing levers, means for controlling the signal sensing operation of both sets of sensing levers simultaneously, and means under the control of the auxiliary tape sensing levers for delaying the response of said apparatus to said principal tape sensing levers.

11. In an automatic control mechanism, a set of principal signal sensing elements, a set of selector members controlled thereby, a set of auxiliary signal sensing elements, means controlled by said auxiliary signal sensing elements for postponing the effectiveness of said selector members, means for latching. the last mentioned means, cam operated means for conditioning said latching means, and means associated with said selector means for disabling said latching means.

12. In an automatic control mechanism, a set of function performing bars, means for selecting said bars individually, means for blocking the selection of said bars, principal signal responsive means for controlling said selecting means, auxiliary signal responsive means for controlling said blocking means, means for latching the control means for the blocln'ng' means in operated condition, and means associated with said blocking means for disabling said latching means.

13. In an automatic control mechanism, a set of function performing bars, means for selecting said bars individually, means for blocking the selection of said bars, principal signal responsive means for controlling said selecting means, auxiliary signal responsive means for latching the control means for the blocking means, periodically operated means for conditioning said latching means, and means associated with said selecting means and said blocking means for disabling said latching means.

14. In an automatic control mchanism',"a set of function performingbars, means for selecting said bars individually, means for blocking the selection of said-bars, principal signal responsive means for controlling 'said selecting means, auxiliary signal responsive means for controlling said blocking means, means for latching the control means for the blocking means in operated condition, and means associated with said selecting means and said blocking means for disabling said latching means.

15. In a selector mechanism, a set of pivotally mounted tape sensing levers presentable in either of two selective positions, a special lever pivotally supported with said tapesensing levers and normally presented in one of two selective positions, a selection controlling bar controlled by each of the aforementioned levers, a set of pre-sensing' levers, and means controlled by said pre-sensing levers for controlling the presentation of said special lever in the other of its selective positions.

16. .In a selector mechanism, a set of pivotally mounted tape sensing levers presentable in either of two selective positions, a special lever pivotally supported with said tape sensing levers and nor mally presented in one of two selective positions, a selection controlling bar controlled-by each of the aforementioned levers, a set of pre-sensi nglevers, and means controlled jointly by said presensing levers and by the selection controlling bars controlled by the first mentioned tape sensing levers for presenting said special lever' in the other of its selective positions.

1'7. In the controlof linecastlng and composing machines, a method of inserting delay intervals between repeated functional operations which comprises simultaneously sensing pairs of! signal 5 combinations, arresting the feeding of the signal carrying medium upon the sensing of a pair of like signals, and blocking the function perform ing instrumentalities in the cycle attending the arrestment of feeding of the medium;

18. In the control of linecastingand compos-,

ing machines, a method of inserting delay intervals between repeated functional operations which comprises simultaneously sensing pairs of signal-combinations, directly comparing one of said signal combinations with theother, arresting feeding of the signal carrying medium upon com,- 'parison of like signals, and blocking the performance of a functional operation during the arrestment of feeding the medium.

19. In the control of linecasting and composing machines, a method of inserting delay in'- tervals between repeated functional operations, which includes the 'stepsof simultaneously sensing pairs of signal combinationaestablishing a predetermined condition in the event such signal established condition effective in the event the next succeeding signal combination corresponds combinations are duplicates, and rendering said composrying medium, establishing a predetermined condition in the event such signal combinations are duplicates, rendering said established condition eifective in the event the next succeeding signal combination corresponds to said pair of signal combinations, and eii'ecting arrestment of the signal carrying medium through the effectiveness of said condition..

means, and means controlled jointly by said first mentioned sensing means and said timing means for sensing the positions of the second mentioned sensing means. i I

23. In a selector mechanism, a plurality of selectable bars, a plurality of selecting bars, a

selection modifyingbar, a plurality of sets of record sensing elements, means 'controlledbyone set of record sensing elements for'controlling said selecting bars, means also controlled by said one set of record sensing elements for controlling said' selection modifying bar, and means controlled jointly by said sets of record sensing elements for also controlling said selection modifying bar.

24. In a selector mechanism, a plurality of selectable bars, a'plurality of, selecting bars, a selection modifying bar, a plurality of sets of record sensing elements, means controlled by one set of record sensing elements for controlling said selecting bars,means including a ratchet feed mech anism also controlled by said one'set of record sensing elements for controlling said selection modifying bar, and means controlled jointly by said sets of record sensing elements for control ling said selection modifying bar independently of said ratchet feed mechanism. v

25. In a strip controlled apparatus, a plurality of sets of simultaneously operable strip sensing levers-selector means controlled by one ofsaid sets of levers, testing means associated with the selector means for testing the setting of anotherof said sets of levers, cam controlled means for operating said testing means, and means operable selectively by said selecting means for dis.

abling said camcontrolled means.

26. In .a record strip controlled apparatus, cyclically operable means for advancing a record strip, means for simultaneously sensing a plurality of records *in said strip, and means responsive to the sensing of identical records for disabling said strip advancing means.

27. In a record strip controlled apparatus, means for advancing a record strip, means for sensing a plurality of records in said strip simui taneously, means responsive to the sensing of identicalrecords for disabling said strip advancing means, and means responsive to the sensing of a predetermined number of identical-records for preventing the disablement of said strip advancing means.

28. In a strip controlled apparatus, a plurality ofsets of simultaneously operable strip sensing levers, selector means controlledby one-of said sets of levers, testing means associated with the selector means for testing the setting of another of said sets of levers, means controlled by said testing means forvarying the operation of said selectormeans, means for latching said last mentioned means, and means controlled by'said selector means for disabling said, latching means.

29. In a strip controlled apparatus, a'plurality of sets of simultaneously operable strip sensing levers, selector means controlled byone of said setsof levers-testing means associated with the selector means for testing the-setting of another of said sets of levers,means controlled by said testing means for varying the operation of said selector means, means for latching said last mentioned means, means for conditioning said latch- 30. In a strip controlled apparatus, a plurality of sets of simultaneously operablestrip sensing levers, selector means controlled by-one of said sets of levers, testing means associated with said of said sets of levers, means controlled by said testing means for varying the operation of said selector means, means for latching said last meningmeans, and means controlled by said selector v I means for disabling said latching means.

selector means for testing the setting of another I tioned means in operated condition, cam controlled means for conditioning said latching means, and means controlled by said selector means fordisabling said latching means.

31. In a record strip controlled apparatus, a plurality of sets of simultaneously operable record' sensing elements, selector means controlled by one of said sets of elements, testing means associated with said selector means for testing the setting of another of said sets of elements, means controlled by said testing means for varying the operation of said selector means, means for latching said last mentioned means in operated condition, cam controlled means for conditioning said latching means operable prior to the actuation of said selector means, and means controlled by said selector means and operable prior to the operation of said testing means for disabling said latching means.

MAURUS T. GOETZ CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

' Patent No; 2,152,6 1. April LL, 1959.

MAURUS T. GOETZ. It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered oatent' requiring correction as follows: Page first column, line 11,; for the reference numeral "15'?" read 57; andsecond column;

line 10, for "levels" read levers; line l2, for "11" read 105; line 50, for the word "car" read cam; page 7, first column, line 55, for "produced'f read positioned and second column, line 6, for "of" read or; line 18, for

' h read machine; page 10, first column; line 17, for F'successidonj" read succession; same page, second column, line 50, claim 2, for the words "and means" read and mechanical means; and that .the said Letters Patent should be read with this. correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. 7 Q I .Signed and. sealed this .Sthday of December, A D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

